Update References and Bibliography of Zika Virus

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegyptiand A. albopictus. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947. Zika virus is related todengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. The infection, known as Zika fever, often causes no or only mild symptoms, similar to a mild form of dengue fever. It is treated by rest. Since the 1950s, it has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. The virus spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean between 2013 and 2014 to French Polynesia, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, and Easter Island, and in 2015 to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreakhas reached pandemic levels. As of 2016, the illness cannot be prevented by drugs or vaccines. As of February 2016, there is evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in their fetuses by mother-to-child transmission, which may result in miscarriage or microcephaly. It is not yet known whether Zika virus causes microcephaly. A link has been established with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including Guillain–Barré syndrome. In January 2016, the U.S. Centers for Di

The New Zealand Government has followed Britain’s lead. Official advice recommends any women who are pregnant or plan to conceive in the near future to delay travel to countries affected with the Zika virus.“Microcephaly in Brazil potentially linked to the Zika virus epidemic, ECDC assesses the risk”. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Retrieved 18 January2016.

“Brazil Zika outbreak: More babies born with birth defects”. BBC. 21 January 2016.^ Zika virus disease in the United States, 2015–2016, as of February 10, 2016Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, 11 February 2016 retrieved 13 February 2016.

“Zika virus: Advice for those planning to travel to outbreak areas”. ITV News. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.

“Pregnant Irish women warned over Zika virus in central and South America”. RTE. 22 January 2016. Retrieved23 January 2016.“Zika: Olympics plans announced by Rio authorities”. BBC. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.

The Rio de Janeiro authorities have announced plans to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the Olympic Games later this year. … The US,Canada and EU health agencies have issued warnings saying pregnant women should avoid travelling to Brazil and other countries in the Americas which have registered cases of Zika.“Zika virus triggers pregnancy delay calls”. BBC. 23 January 2016. Retrieved23 January 2016.